When navigating high school course options, students often find themselves faced with the challenge of choosing between classes that seem very similar. Within RM’s halls are a multitude of classes each student can take. Whether you are interested in economics, world history or calculus, RM has it all.
When deciding which courses to take in the upcoming years, it can be difficult to distinguish the minor differences between each class. However, if you take a closer look, you will notice subtle differences in the content, theme, pace and teaching style. Understanding these minor differences will better inform you to make a well-thought-out decision for your future at RM.
A great example of this is the common struggle of figuring out which English classes to take after sophomore year. It is the first year students are able to choose which English course to take, since in their freshman and sophomore years, they are required to take one specific English class. “I would say the biggest difference between AP Language and Honors English 10 is that in AP Language, there are a lot more presentations and essays compared to more reading and seminars in Honors English 10,” junior Felipe Zegarra said. “In fact, we don’t read books very often in AP Language.”
History is another subject with endless options. Most students don’t know that you can still take IB classes even if you aren’t enrolled in the IB program. When it comes to history, AP World moves at a faster pace and covers a wide variety of topics around the world. “I am in AP World this year and I really like it. We do have a good amount of work but I like my teacher and my class and don’t find it too difficult,” junior Ewina Chen said.
On the other hand, IB History goes more in-depth into each topic and spends more time on different areas of the world. “IB History is one of my favorite classes,” junior Isabel Triandafilou said. “Mr. Stillman cares about his students and wants us to do well. He is very good at teaching his students while also keeping them engaged. As for the work, yes there is a lot but it is okay as long as you manage your time.”
In addition to English and History, there are also a wide variety of classes you can take in the Math department. When it comes to advanced math classes, AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC are often two classes that many students have a hard time differentiating between for students looking to challenge themselves and earn college credit.
While both courses cover the foundational concepts of calculus, the biggest difference is in the pace with which the students learn in addition to being taught by different teachers and different teaching styles. Typically, AP Calculus BC is a more advanced and comprehensive course. “AP Calculus BC moves much faster and covers AP Calculus AB’s whole year curriculum in just the first semester,” senior Aitan Yachin said.
